The first thing you must know before filing a disability claim is that it is going to be tough. In addition to verifying your condition and how it affects your ability to work, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has several stages of “requirements” you must satisfy to be considered for acceptance. These requirements are used to aid the disability panel in deciding the eligibility of your claim.
Neurological Disorder Requirements
When pursuing disability for a neurological disorder, the SSA demands that you and your condition appease the following requisites.
- Does your condition satisfy the evaluation criteria in the Blue Book? Although some conditions not included in the listing may be subject to exception, if your disorder isn’t included, your claim will most likely be denied
- Is your condition severe enough? Only documented severe conditions are eligible, so it’s important to be able to prove that your ailment physically limits your ability to do your ability to earn a substantial and gainful income.
- Are you working or have you recently been working? Benefits are awarded based on need. If you’re physically able to work and support yourself on your current wages, you may not be eligible for additional financial support.
- Will your condition last long enough to warrant benefits? In order to qualify, your condition must be anticipated to last at least 12 months, or to end in your death (possibly within a year).
- Have you worked long enough to have acquired disability credits? The number of work credits needed to qualify depends on your age when your condition develops. Normally, you need at least 40 credits, 20 of which were earned within the previous 10 years before you became disabled. One credit is earned for each quarter-year you are employed.
If you cannot adequately prove that you and your condition satisfy the above terms, your claim will be automatically denied.
Proving Severity
Even if your condition satisfies the requirements, you will still need to prove that you are encumbered with a severe condition or else your claim may be denied. The following forms of evidence cam help you prove the severity of your disability:
- Doctors’ reports
- X-rays, MRIs, brain scans, or lab work
- Professional witness statements
- Financial documentation (bills, budget records, etc.)
Many applicants are overwhelmed by the level of detail they need to show in order to get SSDI benefits. Some have rightly pointed out that it’s especially hard for a disabled person to get the records together to prove his or her disability. We couldn’t agree more.
Here’s an alternative: let Johnson & Gilbert, P. A., give you a hand with your Social Security disability application or appeal. Start with a FREE, no-obligation case evaluation, where we’ll tell you whether we think you have a valid claim. And our help isn’t going to drain away the money you need to live; our fees are limited by federal law. Call us today at 800.556.8890 to get started.